John Sampson's Story

It was several quiet days since Prince Blueblood’s disappointment. AJ had gone back to the farm to get spring planting underway. Swift and I had settled back into our old routine. I did manage some time with Luna and Fred. Fred doesn’t sleep for much more than an hour at a time but dream time isn’t one to one with world time. He taught me some things about moving on four feet and operating an equine body. Luna and I shared some sweet grooming and She fell asleep with Her head in my lap. I was concerned about the paradox of the Princess of dreams dreaming in my dream but she woke with a smile and everything was all right.

An orderly appeared in my office around mid morning. My presence was required in the Colonel’s office right away.

When I walked in, there was a large grey Unicorn sitting with him. “Major John Sampson, this is Captain Shining Armor.”

We hoofbumped and exchanged pleasantries.

“Major, we are coming up on the Spring Fling shortly. It’s had many names but it really is a tradition that goes back as far as the Tribes. It’s the last chance for any unattached ponies to find company before the spring season hits. That’s why the young studs call it ‘est fest’. The Princesses have to be there because they are hosting it. And somepony has to escort each Princess so they won’t be ‘unattached mares’. Cadance and Captain Shining are self evident. I will escort Celestia. Luna has the head of her Night Guard. And Twilight has you. Take Captain Swift with you to help manage the mare problems.

“Any hints or suggestions, sir?”

“Be as ‘on duty’ and military as possible. You’re still going to draw high tails in a swarm but if you don’t let go of Twilight they should keep their distance.”

The door quietly closed itself and, “John, this is orders. Given your recent history, it’s tempting fate but Princesses get what Princesses want.”

I looked at Captain Shining, “Captain, I’m going to need your help with this. And call me John.”

“Certainly, John, if you’ll call me Shining. But I want to know what ‘history’ is.”

“Oh, Shining. Once upon a time I cast a major spell on myself and it is still having some ‘different’ side effects. One of the first side effects was that I heartbonded with Swift but we were afraid to have sex because I didn’t understand my magic. When we finally had our honeymoon we did some human things and I kinda forgot to close the balcony door while we were doing them. We accidentally started some pretty wild stories.”

Steel was grinning, “Shining, the door opened from ambassadors row on to the main public courtyard and humans have sex for days at a time. They entertained the Castle with two days of full throated passion.”

Shining looked at me with awe, “Now I understand what my sister has been so wild about. John, if you’ll teach me some of these ‘human things’, I’ll help you with anything.”

“Shining, you need to know the other half of the story. When was the last time you talked with your sister about me?”

“It was a letter a couple of weeks ago. I just got here and she wasn’t in when I checked her tower.”

“I’ve broken her heart since then. I’ve offered her everything I can including foals. She wants the band but we heartbond and heartbonding just isn’t for an Alicorn. That’s what I need your help with the most. I have to get her to some kind of stable relationship.”

Shining was looking worried now, “What has Celestia said?”

“Celestia has approved and thanked me for taking care of Twilight. I must assume that Celestia believes Twilight will get over it. My problem is that I have to work with Twilight until then. Like this assignment. We haven’t spoken since she cried herself dry on my shoulder.”

Shining looked at Steel, “Which Princess assigned John to escort Twilight?”

Steel replied, “Celestia’s words were ‘Twilight needs John’ but no greater detail was given.”

Shining smiled, “It will work out. Either Twilight explicitly requested John and is over her upset or Celestia is taking action to get Twilight over it. What else do you need help with, John”

“I want to do some serious combat training. I am fair at human unarmed combat and expert with human weapons but I’m clueless about pony combat and I’ve never held a sword or shield in my life.”

Shining looked at me critically, “I’ll bet you could match a Unicorn with a sword. You’d have less range but more strength. You should start with basic training and exercise for a while. Combat with me is pretty high level. And I’m curious, what kind of weapons are you expert with that you can’t use any more?”

Steel and I chorused together “Don’t ask!”

I added, “Shining, as a friend and a brother, don’t even think about human tech. And the reason that I’ve never sparred or wrestled with any ponies is that I’m scared to death of hurting them. I’m a lot stronger than I look. While honeymooning with AJ on her farm I pulled a plow meant for a team of four as light exercise. I want to learn before I get in a situation where it’s critical and I figure you have the best chance of surviving my mistakes.”

Shining laughed, “Now I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Steel jumped in, “And I want to referee. Shining, he juggles deadponies.”

We decided that our first priority is Twilight, training could come later. Besides, I wanted Twilight to witness our training. So Shining and I were in route to Twilight’s tower. If she wasn’t there, we were going to ask Cadance. Shining insists there are advantages to having an Alicorn on call.

Luck was with us, we found Twilight. She wasn’t home, yet, but she was headed that way so after a brother sister moment we all headed there.

Nothing ventured . . “Twilight, I’ve been chosen to escort you to the Spring Fling. Where and when should I pick you up?”

‘We’ll meet here in the morning. I have a lot of things to do organizing the Fling and won’t come back here. Bring your formal wear and we’ll change right before the party starts.” It was spoken flat as the floor.

“We also need you to be a witness, Twilight. Shining and I are going to fight.”

“Just tell me when.” Still no emotion.

“He was telling me about some of the things you did as a filly and I thought that it wasn’t proper to say things like that about a Princess. I said so and he laughed at me so now it’s a duel to the death.”

“Is that really necessary, John?” still flat but a start.

“The Jabberwocky said so with frillish uber spech.”

“Okay, John.”

Damned. I looked at Shining, pleading.

“Sister, Celestia wants to see you.”

“I don’t want to see Celestia.” A spark?

“You have to see Celestia.” Shining presses.

“Celestia did this to me. I don’t want to see Celestia.” A key!

“What did Celestia do to you?” Shining sees it too.

“She took my love away.”

I collided with Shining right in front of Twilight. I mouthed at him ‘let me’ and he backed up a step. I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. She was just limp, not seeming to notice. I nodded at Shining and he picked back up with the questioning. It took more than an hour but something finally cracked.

“John, why are you holding me?”

“Why do you think, Twilight?”

“Would I ask you if I knew?” a little bit of irritation. Good.

“I’m holding you because I love you. Your brother is here because he loves you.”

“But you can’t love me, John. I’m an Alicorn.”

“And that applies to your brother too?”

“No.”

“So love is possible. In fact, it’s right here in the room with you. Look for it.”

“How?”

“I dunno. Maybe there’s a strange alien monster that has enough confidence in your love to charge into your private tower and grab you and squeeze you. I mean, as an Alicorn you could just teleport him hell or lots of other nasty things, couldn’t you?”

Eye contact! “John . . . .”

“Twilight, you offered me every stallions wet dream, life with an Alicorn to satisfy my every whim and unlimited worry free sex. I turned it down because it would have harmed somepony that I loved. I walked away from heaven because I love you Twilight.”

“I don’t understand, John. You told me you couldn’t love me.”

“No, Twilight, I never said that. I said I shouldn’t love you. I said my love could harm you. I never said it didn’t exist.”

I see hope now.

“Shining, I have heard that Unicorns can do a spell and know for certain that somepony is or isn’t telling the truth. Can you?”

“It’s one of my personal talents, John. But I will need to touch you with my horn and I will have full access to everything in your mind. Are you sure you want this?”

“Shining, I’m far more worried about you than me. I keep some very nasty demons chained in the basement. You need to watch yourself around them. A lot of the other stuff will just be incomprehensible because you don’t have the foundation to interpret it.”

I folded my legs under me until I was sitting on the floor with Twilight in my lap. Being careful of her wings, I moved her until I could look directly into her eyes without obstructing Shining. I looked up and nodded at him. When I felt the touch of his horn I spoke.

“Twilight I love you enough to sacrifice my life for you. That is what that conversation with Steel was about. The only things I refuse you are things that I know will hurt you. The rest of the band feels the same way. You can live with us any time you want and have all of the rights of a bandmember, BUT, if AJ or Swift say you must take a break, then you must take time away from us. The only other way I can allow it is if you can figure out a way for us all to remain healthy for as long as you will. Then you can have the heart.”

Shining recoiled and shook his head. “Twilight, he believes absolutely in everything that he says. And he’s right about the demons.” Looking at me, “John, I asked ‘what don’t you want me to see’. I’m sorry. You deserve better.”

Twilight was finally beginning to perk up. I kissed her lightly on top of her nose and said, “Twilight, none of us know what the future will bring, least of all me. I may grow up to be the first male Alicorn. Or drop dead of a stroke tonight because of all the stress this crazy world is putting me through. Be happy with what you can get and take small steps toward what you want every day. Can you do that for me?”

“John, will you sleep with me tonight?”

“Certainly, Twilight. I’ve already told you I would. Your place or mine?”

“Here.”

“We need to let Swift know. And Spike.”

“I want you John.”

“We both come as part of a package, Twilight. You can’t separate me from Swift and AJ and I can’t separate you from Spike.”

“Spike is too young.”

Ohhhhh. “Twilight, I don’t lock Swift out when AJ and I have sex or vice versa. I couldn’t hide it from them and we aren’t going to have sex tonight anyway. You aren’t ready for it.”

“But I want it!”

“I’m sure you do. But you have some learning to do first. Trust me, I’m getting pretty good at this.”

“Alright, John. I trust you.”

“Good. Then the first thing we have to talk about is food. Lunch should have been a long time ago. How about you Shining?”

Shining thought for a second then, “I really need to let Cadance know where I am and see what she has for me to do.”

“Makes sense. Can you line up our PT for in the morning? Big room, medical standby, the whole nine yards?”

“Of course. I might even sell tickets.”

“Make them expensive. I don’t want too big a crowd. Please tell Swift where I am and about the PT.”

“Will do. See you at breakfast zero five hundred.”

“A pony after my own heart! Luck.”